Grain header



Feb.' 26,' 1929. n. 1,103,721

s. BUT'MAN, JR

GRA IN HEADER 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Samus Z BZLITLLUZ 4F.' BY Y ATTORNEY.

Feb.Y 26, 1929.

S. BUTMAN JR GRAIN HEADER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INI/EN TOR.

A TTORNEY.

JSamzzeZBumaJgcFf Feb. 2s, 1929. 1,703,121

S. BUTMAN. JR

GRA IN HEADER Filed Jul 4 sheets-sheet 3 INVENTOR. Samuel Bumamd?? ATTORNE Y.

Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

PATENT orly-Ica` SAHUJ yBUTIIIAN, JB., Oil' IEILXEL, TEXAS.

i cnam, HEADER.

Appleman mea my l14',

rilhis invention relates to a grain header de signed primarilyy forheading sorghum, but it is to he understood4 that a header, inaccordance with this invention, may'be em-l ployed in anyconnectionforwhich it is `found applicable, andthe inventionhas fork its ob- -ject toprovide, in a. manner as hereinafter'J set forth, pa -machine of suchlclass having means forcontrolling the stalks of a row in a l0 mannerwhereby, during*d the' travel of the machine, each stalk of the row willhe severed in close proximity to the head thereof and the severed headsconveyed off from the machine.

A further object of the invention is to pro- `vide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, a grain header machine including means forcontrolling the point of severance of the heads of stalks of differentheights and with the severance point for each stalk being in close 20,proximity to the head whereby but a small portion of the stalk will becarried by each of the severed heads.

' Further objects of the invention are to rovide, in a manner ashereinafter set fort a grain header which is comparatively simple in itsconstruction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughlyeilicient inits use, automatic in its action, readily assembled, andcomparatively inexpensive .to set up and operate. r y

With the foregoing and other objects in View the invention consists ofthernovel construction, combinationand arrangement of` parts ashereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings,wherein` is shown an embodiment ofthe invention,but/it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscanberesorted to which fallwithin the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In 'the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout 'the several views Figure 1 is aside elevation of agrain header machine in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof partly brokenaway.

Figure 3 is a vation.

Figure 4 is'a framentary viewin section illustrating ar drivingmechanism operated from one of the supporting wheels of the ma- Chine. uY

Figure 5 is a detail of the driving means fragmentary view in side ele-'just 1927. Serial No. `205,833.

for one of the endless tensioning devices for the stalks of a row.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating a supporting' means for theguard rail.

F1 ure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrat- .ing t e manner ofcontrolling the point of` severance of the stalks by the cutter bar.

Figure 8 is a sectlonal elevation from the 'front illustrating themanner of controllingthe stalks to provide for the severing of the samein proximity to the heads thereof.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of the ad a le guard.

The machine is illustrated as constructed for operation with respect toa single row of sorghum, but it is to be understood .that it can be setup to operate simultaneously upon a double row. The machine can'betransported in any suitable manner, by Way of exam le horse drawn or `bya motor vehicle.

urther the machine can also be set up as a wagon or tractor attachment.

The machine includes a supporting structure or body portion comprising apair of side space bars 1, 2 of substantial length and the latter isformed intermediate its ends with a laterally extending outwardlydisposed yoke shaped portion 3. Connected to the rear ends of the bars1, 2 is a horizontally disposed archshaped rear base bar 4. Secured toand pro- ]ecting forwardly from the base bar2 is a traction tongue 5.The forward end of the base bar 2 is bifurcated as at 6 and the tongue 5extends therein and holdfast devices 7 fixedly secure the tongue 5 tothe forward portion 6 of the bar 2. Secured upon the forward end of thebar 1 and upon the' tongue 5 in proximity to the forward end of the bar2 is an upstanding forward yoke 7. Secured to the bar 2 at the forwardend of the lateral portion 3 and to the bar 1 approximately centrallythereof is an upstanding intermediavte yoke 8 which has that arm thereofwhich is secured to the bar 2 arranged forwardly of thatarm which issecured to the bar 1. That arm of the yoke 8 which is secured to the bar`2 is indicated at 9 .and has its upper portion have secured thereto, inproximity to their upper 'nds, a rearwardly extending and upwardlyinclined yoke shaped bracket 13. The

Carried by the base bar 1 is an axle,4

supporting means 18 for the axle of one of the supporting wheels V'19for the machine body. Fixed to the lateral portion 3 of the base bar 2,and extending upwardly therefrom is an axle supporting member 2O formedwith an arcuate slot 21. The other supporting wheel for the machine bodyis indicated at 22 and 1s carried by an axle 23 mounted in a carrier orbearing 24 capable of being adjust- -ed in the slot 21. The wheel 22 isprovided on its inner face with a sprocket gear 25. The wheels 19 and 22revolve on their supporting axles and can be provided with ,tractionshoes, as illustrated at 26 with respect to the wheel Secured to the bar2, at the rear thereof andy extending inwardly therefrom is a supportingbracket 27 and secured to the inner face of one of the side arms of theyoke 11 is an inwardly extending bracket 28. Journaled in vthe bracket27 is a counter shaft 29 provided at its outer end with a sprocketpinion 30, intermediate its endswith a beveled gear 31 and at its outerend with a beveled gear 32. The

. shaft 29 is driven from the wheel 22 and for such purpose an endlessbelt 33 is providedA which is operated from the sprocket gear 25 and isin engagement with and operates the sprocket pinion 30.

Connected with the rear yoke 11 is a hanger 34 for supporting the rearend of a board 35 and the latter extends from the yoke 11 ,to andslightly forward of the yoke 7 and inolines downwardly from rear tofront and has its forward end connected in any suitable manner to thesupport 17. The board 35Aat its forward end is provided with anupstanding forwardly inclined shaft 36 carrying a sprocket pinion 37positioned above or rather overthe board 35. Extending into a bearing 39supported in any suitable manner below and intermediate the ends of theboard 39 is aforwardly inclined, upstanding shaft 38, which has fixedthereto near its upper end a sprocket pinion 40 and its lower endcarries a beveled pinion 41 which meshes with and is driven from thebeveled pinion 32. The board 35 is supported in a manner to be perfectlyfree to move in or out in order to vary tension on the stalks. Extendingthrough the board 35 at the rear thereof is a forwardly inclined shaft42 which has fixed t-o its upper end a sprocket pinion 43 and which alsohas fixed to its lower end a sprocket pinion 44.

The pinion 44 is driven from an endless beltv Noemi 45 operated from thesprocket pinion 40. Traveling around the pinions 37, 43, and driven fromthe sprocket pinion 43 is an endless tension applying element 46 in theform of a sprocket chain having laterally extending spaced stalkpositioning members 47. The element 46 is employed for shifting andapplying tension on the stalks and the reason therefor will behereinafter referred to.

The element 46 extends downwardly at an inclination from rear to frontand the width thereof is greater than the width of the board 35.

Arranged above the element 46 and disposed at a downwardjinclinationfrom ,the rear to the front thereof is a board 48 supported at its rearend; as at 49 from the yoke 11 in proximity to the upper end thereof.The forward or lower end of the board 48 is supported from the bar 16,as at 50. Secured to the bar 48 and extending upwardly therefrom arespaced vertically disposed shafts 51, 52, 53 and 54. The shaft 54 is ofgreater height than the other of the shafts 51, 52, and 53. |The board48 projects slightly in advance of the yoke 7 and has mounted in itsforward end a vertically disposed shaft 55 which has its upper end,supported in any suitable manlner from the bar 16. Carried by the shafts51, 52, 53 and 54 are respectively sprocket pinions 56, 57, 58 and 59.Carried by the shaft 55 are superposed spaced sprocket pinions 60, 6l,62 and 63 which align respectively with the pinions 56, 57, 58 and 59.Traveling around the pinions 56, 60 is a tension applying or shiftingelement 64, for the stalks and is constructed in the same manner andacts to Inaintainthe stalks clear of the cutter until they reach theproper height with respect to thecutter. Traveling around the pinions57, 61 is an endless tension applying or shifting element 65 forthestalks similar tothe element 64 and for the same purpose. Travelingaround the pinions 58, 62 is a tension applying or shifting element 66for the same purpose as the element 65 and traveling around the pinyions 59, 63 is a tension applyingor shifting element 67 for the sainepurpose as the element 66. The element 46 is of greater length than anyof the other tension applying` or shifting elements. The element 64 isof less length than the element 65, and the latter is of less lengthvthan Athe element 66, and the latter is of less length than the element67. The upper end of the shaft 54 is provided with a sprocket pinion 68,driven from an endless belt 69 operated from asprocket pinion 70 carriedon the upper end of a shaft 71 supported by a bracket 72 connected withthe yoke 11. The lower end of the shaft 71 is provided with a beveledgear 73. The operation of the belt 69 provides for the travel oroperation of the elements 64, 65, 66 and 67. The element 67 is has itsforward end suitablyl supportedfrom the support 17 and its rear endsuitably supported from the yoke 11. The holder element 74 is what istermed the lower holder element, inclines downwardly from rear to frontand has its rear end providedwith a beveled gear 75. The axis of theelement 74 is positioned inwardly with respect to the board 35. Theelement 74 provides means` for holding the stalks 75 against the guardrails of the guard element and also to act with the element 46 to applytension on the stalks. The element 74 also coacts with the elements 64,65, 66 and 67 and these latter elements are arranged to one side of theelements 46 and 74 see Figure 8. The stalks 75, when the machine isoperated' pass between the guard element to be presently referred to andthe elements 46 and 74 see Figure 8.

rranged above and to one side of the holder element 74 is a holderelement 76 of spiral form and which inclines downwardly from rear tofront. The element 76 is supported at its forward end in any suitablemanner from the support 15 and has its rear end supported in anysuitable manner from the yoke 11. The rear end of the element 76 isprovided with a beveled gear 77. The element 74 is positioned belowandin proximity to the elements 64, 65, 66 and 67 and is of a length toextend rearwardly from thc element 6.7.

Arranged between the elements 74 and 76 and in close proximity to theelement76 is a cutter element 78 formed of a stationary portion 79 and acutter' bar 80. The element 78 inclines downwardly horizontally, seeFigure 8 and to the stationary-part 79 of the cutter element 68 issecured a trough 81 in which operates a rotatable spiral conveyor 82.The cutter element 78, trough 81 and conveyor 82 incline downwardly fromrear to front.- The lower or' forward end of the cutter element 78 issuitably connected with `or supported from the bar 16 and the rear endis suitably supported from the bracket 13 and the yoke 11. The conveyor82 has its forward end suitably supported from the bar 16 and `its rearend suitably supported from the yoke 11 and bracket 13. The conveyor 82is driven from its forward end by a 4driving' connection 82 between suchend and the lower end of shaft 55, see Figure 1.

The cutter bar 80 is reciprocated by an actuating member or crank arm 83which is eccentrically connected to a disc 84 carried on one end of ashaft 85, which is supported from the bracket 13 and providedintermediate its ends with a beveled gear 86 and at its other end with asprocket pinion 87. The gear 86 meshes with the gear 77 for operatingthe upper holder element y76. Supported l from the bracket 13 is a shaft88 provided at one end with a disk 89 to which the member or arm 83 iseccentrically connected whereby the shaft 88 will be driven 4by andsimultaneously with the shaft 85. rlhe shaft 88 carries a beveled pinion90 which meshes with the beveled pinion l73 for driving the shaft 71. Atransmission shaft is indicated at 94 vwhich is supported fromthebracket' 12 and carries a beveled pinion 95, driven from a beveledpinion 96, carried on the upper end o f an upstanding, rearwardlyinclined shaft 97, the latter' having its lower end provided with abeveled pinion 98, see Figure 2, which is driven from the beveled pinion31 on the shaft 29. The shaft 94 carries a sprocket pinion 99 forldriving an endless belt 100 which engages with the sprocket `pinion 87for the purpose of operating the shaft 85. The shaft 94 intermediate itsends carries a beveled gear 101,'which meshes withthe beveled gear forthe purpose of .driving the element 74.

Coacting with the holder and tension applying elements for the stalks 75 is a guard element consisting of an upstanding, forwardly inclinedcouplingbar 102 provided throughout with spaced openings 103. The bar102 is provided for coupling a series of superposed, spaced guard rails104 and each of which includes a forward terminal portion y formed of ahorizontally inclined part 105 and aright angular part 106 which extendsthe elementA 76 and the elements 74 and 46,\`

see Figure 8. The guard rails are also positioned between the cutterelement 78 and the holder element 74 see Figure 8. The guard railsextend longitudinally of lengthwise from the machine. Each guard rail104 extends through an eye 105, see Figure 6carried on the inner end ofan arm 106 which is connected to an inclined rod 107 secured to the bar16. The eye 105 is of greater diamcter than the guard rail 104 whichpermits of the rails tilting in the eyes to enable the elevating orlowering of the inner free ends of the rails and also to dispose therails at whereby the guardv rails can be adjusted to the desiredposition. The guard rails, with reference to Figure 7, will maintain thestalks 75 clear of the cutter element until the stalks pass otll of theinner end of the rail, at which time the head will bear against theholder element 76 and eventually the head will pass clear of saidelement and the elements 74 and elli will then force the stalks to theposition shown in Figure S whereby the cutter element will sever thcstalks in proximity to the heads and the latter will lall into thetrough Sl and discharged theretrom by the conveyor S2. The operation otthe machine, to sever thestalk in close proximity to the head, is shownin vfull and dotted lines in Figures 7 and 8.

Pivotall)r 'connected to the machine bod \f and projecting forwardlytherefrom are stalk ,litters or erectors 111 and 112, and which arepivoted at their rear ends, as at 11? to the yoke 1l. Means foradjusting the litters or erectors, which are termed snoots, is indicatedat 114 and can be of any suitable construction. The litters or erectorswill elevate the bent-over stalks and as the machine travels forwardt-he stalk will be engaged by a member 47 on the element t0 or themember 47 on the other tensioning elements and be maintained in anupright position. i

rlhe upper holder 7 6 will prevent the lstalks Jfrom being severed'until the head ot' the latter passes oitl of thesame. When the stalkpasses ott of the end ot the guard rails it engages the upper holder andwill eventually clear the same, owing to the upward inclination or" theholder, but it is held in engagement with the upper holder 7G, by thelower holder 7 4 and the lower tension applying element 46, until thehead ot the stalk passes clear of the holder 70 when the holder 74 andelement 4G will act to shift the stalk to the position shown in Figure Sto be engaged by the cutter ba r.

The guard element, holder element. and tension applying elements, arev'set up in a manner to prevent the stalk from beingr cut,

l toremove the head therefrom, until the head passes clear oit theholder 7 G and the cutter element 78 is so positioned as to acth uponthe stalk in proximity'to the head.

It is thought the many advantages of amachine in accordance with thisinvention, for

the purpose set forth, can be readily understood, andl although thepreferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described,yet it i's to be understood that changes in the details of constructioncan be had which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat I claim, is:

1. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising a cutter elementincluding a stationary part and reciprocatory bar, said cutter elementproviding` means for severing the heads of stalks ot" dill'erentheights, and means for controlling the position of the point otseverance of each of the stalks, said controlling means includingrotatable spiral holdersA arranged in spaced relation, endless travelingstalk'tensioning elements arranged in spaced relation with respectto'each other and with respect to said holders, and spaced guide railsprogressively increasing in length, arranged in spaced relation andcoacting with said holders and tensioningr element.

2. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising a cutter elementincluding a stationary part and a rcciprocatory bar, said cutlcr elementproviding means for severing the hiads ot stalks of diti'erent heights,`means for controlling the position of thepoint of severance of each otthe stalks, said controlling means including rotatable spiral holdersarranged in spaced relation, endless traveling stalk tensioning'elementsarranged in spaced relation with respect to each other,

and with respect to said holders, and spaced `guide ra ils progressivelyincreasing in length, arranged in spaced relation and coacting with saidholders and tensioning elements, said cutting element incliningdownwardly from rear to front and said holders and tensioning elementsinclining downwardly from rear to front. 1

3. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising a cutter elementincluding a sta# tionary part and a reciprocatory bar, said cutterelement providing means for severing the heads of stalks of ditferentheights, means for controlling the position of the point of severance ofeach of t-he stalks, said controlling means including rotatable spiralholders arranged in spaced relation, endless traveling stalk tensioninglelements arranged in spaced relation with respect to each otherand withrespect to said holders` spaced lguide rails progressively increasing inlength, arragned in spaced relation and coacting with said holders andtensioning elements, said cutting element inelining downwardly Jfromrear to front and said holders and tensioning elements incliningdownwardly from rear to front, and a conveyor means secured to thestationarygpart of said cutter element for conveying ott the severedheads.

4. In a machine for the purpose set forth, a

cutter element for uniformly severing the heads of stalks of differentheights, means for controlling the position of the point ol severance ofeach of the stalks, said cutter element and said means incliningdownwardly from rear to front, and stalk lifting means arrangedforwardly of said cutter element andmeans.

5. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising an inclined cutterelement for severing the heads of stalks. of different heights, upperand lower inclined stalk holders positioned above and below saidelement, a series of superposed, spaced stalk tensioning elementsprogressively increasing' in length upwardly and arranged above ytheupper holder, a lower inclined stalk tensioning element positioned belowthe lower holder, and superposed spaced guard rails progressivelyincreasing in length upwardly and arranged to extend to said upperholder, said holders, tensioning elements and guard rails providingmeans for controlling the point of severance of each of vthe stalksacted upon by the cutter. 1

6. A machine for thevpurpose set 'forth comprising an inclined cutterelement ior severing the heads of stalks of different heights, upper andlower inclined stalk holders positioned above and below said element, aseries of superposed,spaced stalk tensioning elements progressivelyincreasing in length upwardly and arranged above the upper holder, alower inclined stalk tensioning element positioned below the lowerholder,

lsuper-posed spaced guard rails progressively increasing in lengthupwardly and arranged to extend to said upperholder, said holders,tensioning elements and guard rails providing means for controlling thepoint ot' severance of each of the stalks acted upon by the cutter, andstalk lifting means arranged 'for- Wardly of said rails, cutter andtensioningv elements and holders.

to extend to said upper holder, said holders.

Vtensioning elements and guard rails providing means for controlling thepoint of severance of each of the stalks acted upon by the cutter, andmeans connected with the' cutter element for conveying oit the severedheads.

8. A ma'chine for the purpose set .forth comprising an inclined cutterelement for severing the heads of stalks ot' dierent heights, upper andlower inclined stalk holders positioned above andbelow said element, aseries of superposed,'spaced stalk tensioning elements progressivelyincreasing in length upwardly and arranged above the upper holder, alower inclined stalk tensioning element positioned below the "tlowerholder," and superposed spaced guard` rails progressively increasing inlength upwardly and arranged to extent to saidupper holder, saidholders, tensioning elements and guard rails providing means forcontrolling the point of severance of each of thestalks acted upon bythecutter element, said tensioning elements being in the form of endlesstraveling belts, said holders being of spiral fo'rm,`

and means for simultaneously rotating said holders -and for impartingtraveling movement'to saidv elements.

Q In testimony whereof, I aix my signature hereto. Y

SAMUEL BUTMAN, JR.

